883.00/319
The British Embassy to the Department of State
Memorandum
In view of exaggerated reports in regard to Egypt which have recently appeared in the press, H. B. M. Embassy wish to inform the State Department that the present position is as follows:
As a result of negotiations between Lord Milner’s Mission and Zaghloul and his associates certain heads of agreement have been arrived at, the substance of which was more or less correctly published in the Times of August 23rd and August 24th. These terms have not yet received the approval or the consideration of His Majesty’s Government.
Certain of Zaghloul’s associates are returning to Egypt to endeavour to obtain the support of the Egyptian people for an agreement on the lines proposed. If they are successful and if His Majesty’s Government approve, it will then be necessary for a Treaty to be negotiated by properly appointed representatives of His Majesty’s Government and of the Sultan of Egypt. Nothing in the terms of [Page 226] the signed agreement will interfere with the modification of capitulations and abolition of the Consular Courts.
Nor does the agreement affect the Sudan.